Greetings from India!
So sorry this update is coming so late, the wifi situation in India isn’t the best. I have been making some video updates, but those will have to come later since I can’t upload them with such weak wife…so stay tuned!
After five days in Atlanta, Georgia, we headed for the airport. We had to check out of the hotel in the morning, so we spent twelve hours chilling in the airport before our first flight. The first flight landed up in Istanbul, Turkey. The next flight brought us to Delhi, India. It was definitely a strange experience getting served dinner at midnight on the plane. After another layover, we got on a smaller plane to Imphal. Next we had a two hour bus ride…all that to say, we were exhausted! Being nine and a half hours ahead of the time I’m used to is definitely different.
We are partnering with a ministry this month called Bibles for the World. The ministry was started by Rev. Dr. Rochunga Pudaite. We have learned a lot about this visionary leader over the last month. He was a man from a tribal village that walked minty-six miles to get an education. He eventually translated the entire Bible for his people in Hmar, their native language. There are many Christian schools all over India started by the organization as well as a Christian hospital. We are staying at the main base where there is also a Seminary College. Dr. Pudaite passed away a year ago, so we weren’t actually able to meet him.
This month has really given us a taste of many different aspects of ministry. We have helped at a local school, participated in sports ministry, worked construction, prayed over people at medical camps, led vbs (shout out to tracks kids club, those songs saved me!), helped with English classes, sat in on Seminary classes, and just loved on people.
I have never been away from my family for more that ten days, so starting the race has been challenging. However, I’m excited to see the ways in which God reveals Himself even more over these next ten months and ten countries.
Dr. Pudaite’s son and daughter-in-law have been amazing hosts. The slogan of the ministry is “Not to be served but to serve,” and they truly live that out. All of our meals have been cooked for us, and since this is an all-squad month that is around sixty people! I have been extremely blessed and humbled by their generosity, and how they love on us so well.
